Hope Beyond Present Reality

A public school teacher from our home church was talking with one of her students. The boy said that since his father was in prison, he would likely be in prison. She simply told him that he did not have to be in prison just because his father was. His response was, “I never thought of that.” The teacher only had to speak something that you might think could be left unsaid because it should be obvious. But for a boy who lived in an environment without hope, a simple word of encouragement changed his whole outlook.  Just because something has been a reality, even for a long time, does not mean it is a given for the future. Through Christ our Lord, we are free from what has been and have hope for what shall be.  “Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. 7 . . . And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.” (Gal.4:5,7 Msg)